Growth in the country’s core sector surged to double digits in October on the back of robust expansion in coal, electricity, cement and steel and sustaining the strength displayed since June. Data released by the ministry of commerce and industry on Thursday showed the core sector spanning coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity, rose an annual 12.1% in October, higher than the 0.7% in October last year and above 9.2% recorded in the previous month.